NAWABSHAH, Oct 19: Hailstorm battered Nawabshah town and its adjoining areas before they were lashed by rain on Friday.

Hailstorm started hitting the area at around 6pm and continued for between 15 to 40 minutes in different areas before it rained with strong winds, forcing people to rush back home and remain indoors.

Ayaz Dahiri, a grower, said the hailstorm was massive and the downpour heavy which would considerably damage standing crops.

It had seriously affected the crops of sugarcane, vegetables and cotton, said another grower.

Syed Zahid Shah, general secretary of the Nawabshah chapter of Sindh Abadgar Board, said that he had not so far received any report about losses to crops. Daulatpur, Shahpur Jehanian, Masurji Wah, Manharo and Qamaruddin Chandio  also received hailstorm and rain.